Paleblue Earth batteries eliminate the one major pain point of rechargeable batteries
Batteries are ubiquitous; in one form or another they power much of our wireless technology. This also means that we throw away many batteries when they are empty, which is not good for our environment.
Many of us have opted for rechargeable batteries to power some of our devices, from TV remotes and flashlights to even toys. But not enough of us. According to data published in 2018by then, only about 30% of Americans had used rechargeable batteries. In Australia the situation is similar: only 30% of purchased batteries are rechargeable. And less than 2% of these are the popular AA and AAA sizes.
One company trying to ensure that the number of batteries we throw away is reduced as much as possible is Paleblue Earth. Based in Park City, Utah, the company aims to offer a battery with superior long-term performance so you can not only help protect the planet but save money in the process.
Available in sizes AA, AAA, C, D, 9V and CR-123A. Paleblue batteries differentiate themselves from the rechargeable competition by offering USB-C charging.
Batteries that make the difference
Each Paleblue battery comes with a USB-C port, so you can charge them anytime, anywhere via a portable power bank. Along with the batteries you buy, the company includes a USB-A cable with 2 to 4 split USB-C ends, meaning no separate charging dock is needed. In other words, you’re also reducing the use of a bulky product made from non-recyclable materials that would also end up in the landfill at some point.
Paleblue batteries can be fully charged in approximately 1.5 hours, which is faster than other rechargeable alternatives on the market.
Because they are lithium-ion rather than nickel metal hydride (NiMH) or alkaline, which are the most popular rechargeable options, they are also a safer and more stable option.
They’re also designed for longer-term performance, with the company offering a lifetime warranty on its products, something we don’t see other battery manufacturers do. The company claims that each Paleblue battery provides 1,000 charge cycles, meaning one battery can replace 1,000 single-use batteries. Paleblue sells four packs of batteries (even 8 and 12 if you need more), which equates to throwing away 4,000 disposable batteries!
In addition, the packaging in which they come is recyclable and you will receive a handy box in which you can store them.
Paleblue batteries aren’t cheap, though – an AA pack of 4 will cost you $23.99 / AU$49.95, for example. For comparison, Duracell’s 4-pack of AA batteries cost around $15 / AU$29. The downside to this is that Duracell only guarantees 400 charge cycles, compared to Paleblue’s 1,000.
Are rechargeable batteries really sustainable?
Despite being considered the more environmentally friendly option, rechargeable batteries are actually more toxic than single-use batteries. However, their long-term usefulness offsets their toxicity.
A study conducted by the Polytechnic Institute of Milan found that a rechargeable battery needs to be charged approximately 50 times to offset its environmental impact. This was supported by a article published on Yale University’s Climate Connections site, which stated that if a rechargeable battery is thrown away after just 5-6 cycles, it is much more toxic than disposable batteries.
Rechargeable batteries are not the perfect solution, but for now they are the lesser evil. Countries around the world have established battery recycling programs – in the US you can contact this company Bel2Recyclewhile in the UK and Australia there are collection bins in tech stores where you can drop them off.
And while they may cost more upfront, the amount of use you get out of them can saves you about 400 times the amount you spent on it.